Marcus Smith’s return inspired Harlequins to their first win of the season in the Gallagher Premiership, marking the end of Saracens’ perfect start, who suffered a 20-14 defeat at The Stoop.
Smith, in his first appearance after the British and Irish Lions tour, scored Quins’ first try and directed the aerial attack that ultimately led to the defeat of their London rivals.
The talented English player also scored two goals, the second after Tyrone Green’s try in the second half, and scored two penalties, surpassing Owen Farrell, who led Saracens from the center position.
Farrell created tries for Fergus Burke and Ben Earl with a sublime pass and a precise cross-kick, but it wasn’t enough to avoid his team’s third consecutive defeat against Harlequins.Marcus Smith’s return was a successful one for Harlequins.Locals dominated most of the first half, but their lead at halftime was only 10-7, with a Smith penalty making the difference.
The battle in the scrum, the kicking game, and individual highlight moments favored Quins, but they only managed one try thanks to Smith’s cunning in the ninth minute, outsmarting Marco Riccioni.
Farrell missed a routine kick from Smith, which brought joy to the home fans, who celebrated Kieran Treadwell’s action on Tom Willis, of Saracens.
Both teams chose to punt the ball at every opportunity, with an average of one punt per minute in the first quarter. However, Smith stood out thanks to his variety of play.
Saracens were struggling to get out of their own half, but in the 27th minute, their attack came alive when Farrell made a spectacular pass to Lucio Cinti, which culminated in a try by Burke.
Chandler Cunningham-South made a big hit on Willis, and when the home scrum got a penalty, Smith didn’t miss.
The second half began with Quins extending their lead, after a mistake by Burke in not controlling a kick from Smith, which allowed Green to score a try.
Saracens sought to pressure in the rival field, but the scrum was again their downfall, conceding a penalty that relieved their opponents.
In the 65th minute, the North London club scored their second try, with Max Malins initiating an attack that ended with an exquisite cross-kick from Farrell for Ben Earl to score.
The pillar Boris Wenger had a try disallowed for a double movement, while Quins sought to respond and spent the last minutes in enemy territory, sealing the game with Smith’s second penalty, just before being named man of the match.
